Validation of an abbreviated adherence measure for young people with Type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Diabet. Med. 28, 1113-1117 (2011) ABSTRACT: Aims Adherence to diabetes-related tasks is an important construct. The Diabetes Self-Management Profile is a validated, semi-structured interview assessing adherence in paediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes. We created and validated a brief questionnaire version of the Diabetes Self-Management Profile called the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire. Methods Young people with Type 1 diabetes, ages 9-15 years (n = 338) and their parents provided data from chart review, interview and questionnaires. Results Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire scores correlated significantly with Diabetes Self-Management Profile scores, HbA(1c) , blood glucose monitoring frequency and other measures associated with adherence and/or glycaemic control (P = 0.01 for all). Young people and parent scores were correlated (r = 0.55, P < 0.0001). The Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire demonstrated modest internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.59), adequate for a brief measure of multidimensional adherence. In addition, factor analysis confirmed one factor. Conclusions This brief adherence questionnaire demonstrated construct validity in young people 9-15 years old and their parents and may have utility in clinical and research settings.

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